Code setting device for signal systems



Aug.22, 1939. TAjTERJEsEN w 2,170,100

CODE-SETTING DEVICE FOR SIGNAL SYSTEMS i Filed Jan. 17, 1935 Sheets-Sheet l f 5 /e fl l e' E y 1@ @I 'L @1' f 5@ m E @im E O rsa1 9 a l Q O LW Q N? 5 E E E E .a E a @a /A L@ Q/ O Q T. A. TERJESEN CODE-SETTING DEVICE FOR SIGNAL SYSTEMS Aug. 22, 1939.

` ed Jan.' 17, 1955 2 sheets-sheet 2 Xfl Iglo.

Patented Aug. 22, 1939 UNITED STATES CODE SETTING DEVICE FR SIGNAL SYSTEMS `Tellef A. Terjesen, Hoboken, N. J., assignor to Sig-nal Engineering & Manufacturing Company, New York, N. Y., a corporation chusetts of Massa.-

Application January 17,1935, serial No. 2,2417` 3 Claims.

The present invention relates to electrical signaling apparatus and systems of the type commonly employed for controlling, from a given point, the operation of various kinds of signal devi-ces for sounding or displaying a multiplicity of dierent signals all in accordance With a predetermined code'.

Ordinarily a signal system, of the yabove described type, comprises in addition to the signals themselves, a code determining or setting device cooperating WithA a code sending" device, the function of the code setting device being 4to enable the operator to manually determine or set the code signal desired, whereupon the code sending device operates under the control of the setting device Ito automatically soundrthe selected predetermined signal sequence. In code setting devices, as heretofore constructed, the code determination has been obtained either by arranging electrical .contacts in different code sequences, as shown in Burdick Patent No. 1,823,585, or b-y providing dissimilar mechanically operated code determiningV elementsI arranged in groups in accordance With the code sequences, as sho-wn inY Hanel Patent No. 1,969,978. While the code setting devices of the types shown by the aforementioned patents are satisfactory from an operating standpoint, the manufacture of such devices in quantity presents certain inherent difficulties, owing to the multiplicity of combinations that are required for the code determining contacts, vor Aelements as the case may be.

According to the present invention, there is provided an improved code' setting device characterized by the utilization of identical code determining elements that may be manufactured cheaply in large quantities and readily assembled in such manner as to set up the desired code combinations, in response to the operation of identical actuating or code setting members. The device of the present invention is further characterized by its certainty of operation and the fact that it is entirely free from electrical troubles due to the purely mechanical relation that exists` between the code determining elements and their associated actuating members. The above and other advantageous features of the invention will hereinafter more fully appear from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a view in front elevation of a code setting device embodying the invention.

Fig. 2 is a View. of the device of Fig. 1, with parts broken away to show details of construction.

Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional, View of the device of Fig. 1, with the section taken along therst row of code determining elements.

Fig. 4 is a vertical sectional view similar to Fig. 3, with the section taken along the second row of code determining elements. Y

Fig. 5 is a transverse sectional view yalong the line 5-5 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 6 is a sectional view similar to Fig. `5, showing the operation of a code setting key.

Fig. '7 is a plan view of the device of Fig. 1,' With its cover removed and showing diagrammatically, the electrical connections between a code setting and a code sending device.

Fig. 8 is a View, partly in front elevation and partly in section, of a modified form of code setting device.

Fig. 9 is a transverse sectional View along the line 9-9 of Fig. 8. I

Fig. lO'is a sectional view similar to Fig.9, showing the operation of the setting key. v

Fig. 11 is a partial plan view of the device of Fig. 9, with the cover removed, and showing the l electrical connections.

Like reference characters refer to like partsin the different figures. v

Referring Vi'irst to Fig. l, the code setting' device comp-rises a base l and a top sectionZ, between which are assembled a number of code settingunits A and'B arranged in stack relation, the units being similar in construction and each being adapted to determine a different group of code settings, as will hereinafter appear. i Each unit provides` a series of code setting members or keys 3 terminatingY in buttons 4 bearing diierent code designations, as. shown in Fig. 1, and the code setting members or keys 3 are movable in slots 5 provided in a key plate 5 at the front of each unit, see Fig.v 2.

As best shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 5, each unit provides a plurality of identical code determining elements 'l arranged in vertical rows and in horizontal series corresponding to the number of keys 3, with the elements of each row spaced apart by plates 6a that provide key slots in alinement with the slots 5 of the front key plate Each code determining element 'l provides a slot 8 that is slightly longer than the slot 5 of a. key plate B, or Ga, and also is unsymmetrical with respect to the central axisof an element. It is valso to .be noted that since the over-all length of an element 'l is exactly the same as the depth of a key plate B measured vertically, the upper GII end of a slot 3 will project into a key plate slot 5 when an element I is positioned with the longer end of its slot downward. Conversely, when an element 'I is positioned with the longer end of its slot 8 upward, the edge of this slot will be slightly above the key plate slot 5, A comparison between the first and second rows of code determining elements l, shown in Figs. 3 and 4, will make clear the results that can be obtained by merely reversing the position of the code deter-V mining elements I in the units of the stack.

Referring now to Fig. 5, there is shown the particular arrangement of the code determining elements I to provide for setting up code combinations representing the call numbers six and twenty-four, upon koperation of the correspondingly designated keys 3. In the case of the lower series of elements l, it is obvious that the slots` 8 of the rst six elements project into the alined key slots 5, while with the second series of elements the slots of the first two elements project, the third element is clear, While the next four elements also project. It is evident then, that by merely positioning the elements l of each series with the longer ends of the slots 8 either up or down, any desired code designation can be obtained within the limit of the number of elements in a series.

As best shown in Fig. 5, each key 3 provides on opposite sides thereof a number of notches Q corresponding to the number of code determining elements 'I in th'e series, with one side of each notch 9 being inclined, as indicated at I5. With the key 3 yieldingly maintained in its retracted position, as by means of a spring I I, the inclined notch faces I just bear on the edges of the projecting slots 8, but upon pushing in the key designated twenty-four, six of the first seven elements 'I of the upper unit B will be raised, as shown in Fig. 6. Obviously, should this vertical shifting of elements 'I take place in the lower unit A it will be communicated to those elements directly above, in the stack, and the manner in which the setting of any elements E', in accordance with the code designation of a depressed key, is utilized for control of a code sending device will next be described.

As best shown in Figs. 3 and 5, each row of code determining elements I of the top unit B has associated therewith a shift bar I2 providing the notches I2a corresponding to the number of elements l in the row, with each notch i260 offset with respect to the vertical center line of an element l. The bars I2 are yieldingly held in position by springs I 3 and with the keys 3 all retracted, there is no actual engagement between the elements I and a shift bar I2. Upon operation of a key 3, the beveled end of any element 'I which may be moved upwardly engages the nearest corner of a notch I2a to shift the corresponding bar I2 to the right, the engaged notch I2a tending to center itself on the end of the element 'I. Thus, the depression of a key causes movement of only those shift bars I2 that are in line with the particular rows of elements 'I in which one element may be shifted in accordance with the code designation. For convenience of assembly, the shift bars I2 are loosely mounted on pins I4 extending across the top section 2 and are held apart by suitable spacers 2a forming part of the section 2.

The right hand end of each shift bar I2 is insulated where it bears on a flexible contact I5, and each contact I5 is opposed to, but slightly spaced from, one of a series of spaced stationary contacts I6 on a bus bar II carried by the cover 2. Referring now to Fig. '7, the contacts I5- I to I5-9 inclusive, are connected to stationary contacts I8-I to IB-S of a commutator I9 forming part of a code sending device, which may be of any desired type since it forms no part of the present invention. The bus bar II, carrying contacts I6, is connected to one side of a suitable power source S, as indicated, so that shifting of one or more bars I2 by depressing a key 3 causes one or more of the commutator contacts I8 to be energized in accordance with the code determination. 'Ihe commutator I9 also provides an arm 2B mounted on a shaft 20a so as to engage the commutator contacts I8, and since the arm 2li is connected to the other side of the source S through a suitable signal device 2I, rotation of the commutator shaft will 'cause the signal 2! to be sounded in accordance with the code, as determined by a depressed key 3.

While the commutator I9 only provides nine coding contacts I8-I to I8-9 inclusive, each code setting unit provides a tenth row of elements 'I cooperating with a shift bar I2 and movable contact I5-I0. The purpose of this contact I5-I5 is to start the operation of a suitable motor 22 for driving the commutator shaft 20a, upon full depression of a key, with provision Vbeing made for opening the contact Iii-IIJ as soon as the motor starts, after which the motor turns the arm 2li through one or more complete revolutions as determined by a control switch 23, operated from the commutator shaft 2M..

Referring again to Fig. 5, it is to be noted that the inclined face Ita of the last notch is less steep than the other faces, thereby making it necessary to press the key 3 all the way in before the element l in the last row is lifted enough to cause the tenth shift bar I2 to close the motor starting contact I5-I0. As a key 3 is pushed all the way in, as shown in Fig. 6, an inclined projection 24 at the front end of the key raises a locking plate 25 which drops into place behind the projection 24 to prevent return of the key when it is` released. The key 3 is shown in its locked position of Fig. 6, from which it is apparent that While certain code determining elements 'I of the first nine rows will be held up in accordance with the disposition. of their slots 8, the element in the last row will be released in the locked position of the depressed key due to the low inclination of the face Ilia. In other words, it is necessary to push a key 3 all the way in to give a starting impulse to the motor 23, with the starting circuit being interrupted upon return of the key to locked position in which the code determination is set and held.

Following the depression and locking of a key 3, the key remains in this position until the depression of a key in the same or in another unit of the device. With a key locked in the upper unit B as shown in Fig. 6, it is obvious that depression of a key in the lower unit will cause its inclined projection 24 to lift the lower locking plate 25, which movement is imparted to the locking plate immediately above. This has the effect of releasing a previously depressed key, so that there can be only one key depressed at a time. Furthermore, upon release of a key the shift bar springs I3 return the shifted bars and their corresponding elements l to their original positions. In order to provide for lifting of the lower locking plate 25 upon operation of a key in the upper section, the locking plates 25 are secured together by lugs 25a, so they will move in unison, and the plates are yieldingly held in locking position by the spring 26, see Fig. 2.

Referring now to Fig. 8, there is shown a modified form of the device, in which the code setting units A and B are constructed in exactly the same manner as shown in Fig. 1, with the omission of the keys cooperating with each series of elements. Instead of a series of keys there is provided a single master key K, which is insertable in any one of the series of alined slots provided by the code determining elements. The cross-section of the key K is substantially the same as the size of the slots in the key plates 6 and 6a, so that when the key K is inserted in the slot designated twenty-four as shown in Fig. 10, the same code determining elements 'l are lifted that are shown lifted in Fig. 6 to form the code designation.

The elementl 1 in the tenth row which is adapted to control the starting contact of the codek setting device, is lifted only when the key K is pushed all the Way in, as indicated in dotted' lines, due to the fact that the end of the key is beveled. After being pushed all the Way in, the key K is retracted by means of a spring 21 carried by the key, which tends tomaintain the key in the position of Fig. 10 to maintain the code setting While the code is being sent. The key K may be left in position after the sending of a round of signals, and if it is desired to send another round, it is only necessary to again push the key in to its extreme position to actuate the starting element.

As best shown in Fig. 11, the code determining elements of the top unit B cooperate with a series of shift bars 28 of a different form from the shift bars I2. Each bar 28 provides a series of slots 2S corresponding in number to the number of elements l of each row. The slots 29 are slightly larger than the beveled ends of the elements, and With the device in an unset condition as shown in Fig. 8, the right hand edge of each slot 29 lies closely adjacent to the one beveled surface of each element 1. Consequently, when the key K is inserted to raise a number of elements 1 in accordance with the 'code determination, as shown in Fig. 10, the raised elements will enter the slots 29 of the corresponding bars of each row, thereby causing these bars 28 to shift to the right as shown in Fig. 11. The tops of the bars carry insulating lugs 3B, which upon shifting of any of the bars to the right cause the engagement of contact fingers |5--I to I5-l0 inclusive, with contacts I6 is provided by a bus bar mounted on the top 3|.

As best shown in Fig. 8, the end walls 3la of the top provide slots 32 in which the shift bars 28 are assembled, and springs 33 serve to maintain all the bars fully retracted in the left hand slot 32, in the unset condition of the device. In this position the right hand slot 32 provides space for movement of the bars 28 to the right in order to operate the contacts in accordance with the code setting.

From the foregoing it is apparent that by the present invention there is provided an improved code setting device characterized by its simplicity and reliability in operation. Obviously, the device is particularly adapted for quantity production, owing to the fact that the code determining elements', shift bars and code setting members or keys are identical, and it is unnecessary to stock large numbers of parts having different forms. In other words, the particular code numbers to be set up by the device are determined entirely by the manner of placing ea'ch element in its series, so that in assembling a device embodying the present invention, almost any code combination can be provided to meet a customers requirements, without it being necessary to make up any special code determining elements.

I claim:

l. A code setting device comprising code determining members of identical shape and size and each symmetrical about a center line, each member having a slot therein which is offset With respect to said center line, means for mounting said members one behind the other in a series with their peripheries in alignment for independent shifting movement, certain of said members being mounted reversely to the other members whereby a common aligned slot is formed with the slot ends of said certain members projectingV into the common slot and a code setting member movable in the common slot and having' identical shifting portions for each of said members, whereby upon movement of said code setting member in said common slot the said certain determining members having their slot ends projecting into the common slot will be shifted to compose the code.

2. A code setting device comprising code determining members of identical shape and size and each symmetrical about a center line, each member having a slot therein which is offset with respect to said center line, meansfor mounting said members one behind the other in a series with their peripheries in alignment for independent shifting movement, certain of said members being mounted reversely to the other members, whereby a common aligned slot is formed with the slot ends of said certain members projecting into the common slot, and a code setting member movable in the common slot and having shifting portions for said determining members equidistant from the axis of said common slot, whereby upon movement of said setting member in said common slot, the said certain determining members having their slot ends projecting into the common slot will be engaged by said setting member and shifted to compose the code.

3. A code setting device comprising code determining members of identical shape and size, and each symmetrical about a center line, each member having a slot therein Which is offset with respect to said center line, means for mounting said members one behind the other in different series with their peripheries in alignment for independent shifting movement, certain of said members in each series being mounted reversely to the other members of the series, whereby a number of common aligned slots are formed, with the slot ends of said certain members in each series projecting into the common slot of the series, selector members corresponding in number to the number of elements in each series and carrying operating portions common to correspondingly positioned elements in different series, and a code setting member movable in the common slot of a series, and having shifting portions for said members equidistant from the axis of said common slot, whereby upon movement of said setting member in said common slot, the said certain determining elements of that series having their slot ends projecting into the common slot, will be shifted to composel the code, together 'with selector members corresponding to the shifted determining elements.

TELLEF A. 'I'ERJESEN.

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